Clarity &
Focus
Support,
Content
Development,
& Critical
Thinking
Organization,
Coherence,
& Style
Grammar,
Mechanics,
& Word
Choice*
Proficient:
A
Competent:
B
Average:
C
Below Avg:
D
Not Evident:
F
Points: 20
Assignment was
clearly followed.
Compelling
introduction with a
clear hook and background information.
Strong thesis
statement appropriate
for a
compare/contrast
essay.
Points: 20
Strong topic
sentences that
effectively support
the thesis statement.
Body paragraphs
contain strong support
for topic sentences.
Body paragraphs
clearly compare
and/or contrast two
subjects to make a
particular point.
Effective conclusion
that sums up the essay
and ends with a
closing thought.
Points: 20
Essay is clearly
organized either
point-by-point or by
subject with clear
transitions that
connect ideas and that
serve to emphasize
comparisons and/or
contrasts. The essay is
easy to read, and has
smooth transitions.
Consistent formal
tone and point of
view. Varied sentence
structure.
Points: 20
Essay has no
noticeable errors in
word choice,
grammar, and
mechanics.
Points: 15-10
Assignment was
followed. Good
introduction with a
strong thesis
statement,
appropriate for a
compare/contrast
essay.
Points: 9-5
Introduction is
present but is not
engaging. Fairly
good thesis
statement.
Points: 4-1
Weak or confusing
introduction and
weak thesis
statement. OR
Introduction and
thesis statement do
not address the
prompt.
Points:0
Assignment
guidelines were
not followed.
Missing or unclear
introduction with
no clear thesis
statement.
Points: 15-10
Good topic
sentences that
support the thesis
statement. Body
paragraphs contain
good support for
topic sentences.
Clear evidence of
analysis of two
subjects using
compare and/or
contrast. Good
conclusion.
Points: 9-5
Some good topic
sentences that
support the thesis
statement.
Inconsistent
support in body
paragraphs. Some
attempt at analysis
through compare
and/or contrast,
though the essay
could benefit from
more such
analysis. Weak
conclusion.
Points: 4-1
Weak topic
sentences that do
not clearly support
the thesis
statement. Body
paragraphs contain
weak support for
topic sentences.
Conclusion is
ineffective.
Points:0
Weak or missing
topic sentences.
Body paragraphs
have ineffective
support for topic
sentences.
Conclusion is
nonexistent or
ineffective.
Points: 15-10
Organization is
mostly clear and
essay is readable.
Strong transitions
aid coherence both
within paragraphs
and when shifting
from one
paragraph to the
next. Uses a
formal tone. Few
errors in point of
view. Some
sentence variety.
Points: 9-5
Organization is
fairly clear and
essay is generally
readable; some
transitions are
present. Contains
some errors in
point of view and
tone. Little
sentence variety.
Points:4-1
Organization
contains errors.
Few transitions are
used. Contains
many errors in
point of view and
tone. No sentence
variety.
Points:0
Organization is
unclear and
transitions are not
used effectively.
Has a weak or
inappropriate tone.
Does not employ
sentence variety.
Points: 15-10
Essay contains up
to 10 errors in
word choice,
grammar, and
mechanics.
Points: 9-5
Essay contains up
to 15 errors in
word choice,
grammar, and
mechanics.
Points: 4-1
Essay contains up
to 20 errors in
word choice,
grammar, and
mechanics.
Points:0
Essay contains
more than 20
errors in word
choice, grammar,
and mechanics.
Proficient:
A
Competent:
B
Points: 20
Points: 15-10
Essay is clearly
Minor formatting
formatted in MLA
errors in header,
MLA
style to include
heading, title,
Formatting
correct header,
spacing, or font.
heading, title,
spacing, and font.
*Sentence and Grammar Errors found within the essay:
1. Agreement
4. Capitalization
2. Apostrophes
5. Consistent tense
3. Awkward sentences
6. Comma errors
Essay Final Grade and Comments
Average:
C
Below Avg:
D
Not Evident:
F
Points: 9-5
Several formatting
errors in header,
heading, title,
spacing, or font.
Points: 4-1
Many formatting
errors in header,
heading, title,
spacing, or font.
Points: 0
Did not follow
MLA style
guidelines.
7.
8.
9.
Modifier errors
Fragments
Word Choice/slang
10. Parallelism
11. Run-ons
12. Other: